Original "Criminal Minds" Star Explains Decision to Leave
March 23, 2016
by Lesley Goldberg


After 11 seasons, CBS' "Criminal Minds" is saying goodbye to one of its original stars.

Wednesday's episode marked the final one for series star Shemar Moore, who said farewell to the veteran procedural after his Derek Morgan opted to focus on his new wife and baby-to-be.

"It's a weird experience," Moore tells The Hollywood Reporter of his newfound free time. "I just spent 11 years with a group of people and it's a weird thing to walk away from — but I did it on my terms and in the right way."



For More:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/criminal-minds-shemar-moore-exits-877529

http://tvline.com/2016/03/24/criminal-minds-shemar-moore-leaving-derek-replacement/

Don’t expect a replacement to be named until next season, possibly the premiere, says showrunner Erica Messer.

It´s pretty sad he is leaving. He was such a great character and his relationship to reed and garcia were very special.
But I can understand it though. He´s been on the show for ages and getting a new challenge is important